In the 1850s, century
Silverdale (then known as The Wade) was established as a
port for
transporting
kauri logs to
Auckland. Stillwater was also used as a secondary landing to transport logs, kauri
gum and later fruit produce from orchards established on cleared land at Stillwater, Silverdale and
Dairy Flat. As there was no roading sea was the only form of transport available. The last shipment of kauri gum to leave Stillwater was in 1890. The pack
horse tracks from Dairy Flat are still clearly visible on the
Weiti Station property. The earliest European name for the area was Five Fingers, in reference to the many sandspits found along the
Weiti River. The earliest settler in the Stillwater area was Ranulph Dacre, who began timber felling in 1848. Dacre was followed by Andrew Weatherspoon Thorburn and his family in 1852. Part of his original holding is now a reserve and memorial park bequeathed on their farm. Several houses were built on the river's edge in the early days as more land was cleared and made available for
farming. Some live stock was introduced, but fruit from orchards seemed to be the major produce transported to Auckland from Stillwater. Other early settlers included the Percy, Blackshaw and McPike brothers families. In 1950 the McPike brothers subdivided their farm to form what has become the Stillwater settlement known today. After
the Second World War the motor camp was developed and a
road from East Coast Road constructed. Prior to this there existed only a farm track to Stillwater with a ford crossing at Doctor's Creek. The original bridge built was gradually improved over the years to the two lane
concrete bridge today. In 1958, a residential subdivision was constructed in the area, bringing more residents. This is the point when Stillwater was adopted as the name of the settlement. In 1980 the Council began tar-sealing the road. In 1985 Stillwater was connected to the
Whangaparaoa sewerage system and more substantial houses were built in the area. By the year 2000, most of the power and telephone cables were put underground and footpaths formed the length of Stillwater Crescent. Houses were built on almost all the original sections developed and Stillwater could no longer be called a
holiday resort; it had become a well established marine suburb. In time Coastal Heights was developed followed by the adjoining Inlet Views property and new coastal development is taking place over the river opposite the Stillwater Boat Club. Buildings continue to appear as land is cleared. In late 2022, construction began on a new motorway between the
Auckland Northern Motorway and the
Whangaparāoa Peninsula, crossing the Weiti River at Stillwater and connecting the township to the Auckland motorways network. The road is projected to open in 2026. ==Demographics==